Tension prevails in Assam’s Kokrajhar district as a mob allegedly attacked and vandalized homes belonging to the Muslim community on Wednesday ahead of the suspected cow meat and animal skin discovered near a house.
The incident has emerged amid the recurring cow-related vigilantism against Muslims in different parts of Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region.
Kokrajhar, part of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), has repeatedly witnessed ethnic and communal clashes, especially between Bodo and Muslim communities.
A major incident took place in May 2014, when suspected NDFB (Songbijit faction) militants carried out coordinated attacks on Muslim villages across Kokrajhar and adjoining areas, leaving more than 30 people dead and homes destroyed.
The sequence of the unrest, as reported by the officials, started following suspected beef being found in the courtyard of a local resident. Some locals said that it had been deliberately kept while others said it might have come from a nearby wedding feast. Meanwhile, police said that seven persons had been arrested as soon as the incident came to light. No injuries have been reported.
On the discovery of meat, a mob allegedly targeted houses belonging to members of the Muslim community. Videos from the scene also demonstrate a large group vandalizing homes in the presence of police personnel.
Police said that security forces have been rushed and administration helped in preventing the conflict from springing further. Meanwhile, locals said that the attack took place in the presence of police, which failed to prevent the mob from resorting to attack.
Meanwhile, police said that an investigation into the matter has been initiated and all the seven detained individuals are under questioning. Locals of the incident have demanded strict action against the perpetrators.
As per the officials, the situation, which escalated, has now come under control, and heavy police have been deployed in the area to prevent further escalation.
Furthermore, officials have urged the people to maintain peace in the area and the origin of the meat, and people responsible for the violence will be identified through investigation.
